Armored Gunboats, 1859-1882: Photo Gallery
In fleet lists as Bâtiment spécial à hélice, 1863-1866.Click on a photo to prompt a larger view of the same image.
Armored Gunboats
Classes: Tortue (1863)
Tortue (Bâtiment spécial à hélice). Le Monde Illustré reported in its edition of 6 April 1861 that this singular craft was then moored near the race courses of the Bois de Boulogne and that her trials would be carried out in a few days under the eyes of Emperor Napoleon III himself. (Drawing: Le Monde Illustré, 6 April 1861, page 224)
Classes: Tortue (1863)
Tortue (Bâtiment spécial à hélice). This iron coated craft, a personal project of Emperor Napoleon III ordered under his household budget, was handed off to the Navy in early 1862 after trials showed that it was impossible to steer her. She had two funnels side by side. (Drawing: Journal pour tous, 15 June 1861, page 352 and repeated in La Semaine des Enfants, 2 November 1861, also page 352)
Note: The category Bâtiment spécial was also used for Taureau in 1864 only.